Fiducia Supplicans—a Bag of Mixed Blessings?

Abstract

The release of the document Fiducia supplicans from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith in December quickly led to intense discussion over its implications. Some quickly assumed the document allowed certain blessings previously disallowed by the Church while others considered it a clarification of the Theology of Blessings that remained in line with previous teachings. Still others found great confusion in the discordant interpretations. This article aims to clarify the document’s teaching and aid the faithful in its interpretation while discussing how it may be reflected upon by church leaders and laity alike.